"We for long are lulled by high commodity prices, so that we forget the development of downstream industries and processing to gain added values from our own natural resources," the president said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo said the global crisis should be a momentum to develop downstream industries in Indonesia, which until now have not been optimally exploited.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) made the statement while chairing a limited cabinet meeting regarding the evaluation of the implementation of strategic projects and priority programs of Central Kalimantan province, at the presidential office in Jakarta on Tuesday.

"We for long are lulled by high commodity prices, so that we forget the development of downstream industries and processing to gain added values from our own natural resources," the president said.

According to him, Indonesia should also start developing downstream industries as this will directly influence the community, creating jobs, and drive the economy in the region.

Therefore, he said that the Government wanted to realize the project of national strategic and priority programs in various parts of the country.

Implementation of the project and the program is still continuing acceleration in the process.

President Joko Widodo was to remind his staff to continue to monitor the continuation of the project or program priorities.

"The key is in the execution and supervision. For that, I ask the minister or the head of the institution to see in detail the execution of the program national strategic and priority programs in each province. What is going according to plan if there are any barriers or obstacles encountered," he said.

The Head of State assured brought more quickly constraints in the execution of the project to be completed, it will be the sooner the program can benefit the community.

To that end, he called for coordination and synergy between the governor and the central government to be further improved.

On the occasion of the meeting which discussed Central Kalimantan, President referred to the economic conditions in Central Kalimantan.

As is known, the Central Kalimantan actually rich in mineral resources and the results of the plantation and forestry.

However, on the other side of the area affected most of the decline in commodity prices in the global market.

"This means that the slowing global economy clearly had a significant impact on the regional economy," he said.

However, despite the decline in real commodity prices there are great opportunities that can be exploited.

According to the President, this is the right moment to start developing downstream industries in order to provide added values.

In addition, the Head of State invited the parties to start thinking about alternative economic potential.

It is necessary to maintain sustainable economic growth area in the future.

"Central Kalimantan needs to develop untapped economic potential that is not dependent on the exploitation of Mining and forest wealth which at some point will run out," Jokowi asserted.

Joko Widodo reinforced the importance of accelerating the development of transport infrastructure in Central Kalimantan.

In addition to opening the isolation of some regions in Central Kalimantan, adequate transportation infrastructure is also expected to lower the cost of logistics in the region.

"I ask the construction of transport infrastructure should really be integrated with other areas in Kalimantan and do not forget to pay attention to aspects of spatial planning and the environment," he concluded.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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